Warfare is constantly being waged within God's creation, His "man". A continuous struggle between right and wrong is nearly always present. "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, WARRING against the law of my MIND, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my MEMBERS" (Rom. 7:22, 23).

    To be victor in the fight between the flesh and the spirit, oftentimes one will be required to resort to additional reinforcements. We do find in the Holy Word that there is a great friend of "FAITH". This friend has so many things in common with faith. It likes the same things that faith likes, even disregards and entirely ignores the very same things that faith does. So mutual are the things they have in common that faith becomes far more efficient, active, and developed when this great ally comes to the assistance of faith. They both are mostly concerned with the overthrowing of two powerful centers of dominion. These are great forts or strongholds that prevent us from receiving the supernatural as we should. By the breaking down of these strongholds, we are enabled to make rapid strides of spiritual advancement and progress. Mountains can be removed and "Nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matt. 17:20).

    FOR THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds:) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:3-5).

    Faith's fight is the Spirit's fight. Faith's fight is against our five senses. All the knowledge natural man has, came through these channels to his brain. The Spirit wants us to have REVELATION KNOWLEDGE. Spiritual things are more real than material things. Spiritual forces GOVERN DISEASE. Spiritual forces govern natural laws. Most of the natural things will pass away (II Pet. 3:10, 11). Then why live entirely after the senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling, which depends upon the natural, which includes appetite gratification. A new FAITH ENVIRONMENT.

    As more reinforcements are received, the fight rages with even more intensity as the Christian seeks more of faith and the riches of the Spirit. However, the battle never grows with such intensity as when the seeker of spiritual truth puts into operation the most powerful fighting, spiritual process available, for the purpose of carrying the fight right on through to enemy territory. This is one of the "mighty" weapons the spirit can utilize most effectively. This is nothing more nor less than the consecration fast. fasting is faith's most powerful ally. How it overcomes the worst enemy of our soul- UNBELIEF! Unbelief is as great an ally of Satan as is Faith an ally of the Christian. Fasting enables Faith to penetrate Holy Ghost strongholds.

    Fasting is such a powerful weapon against carnality and unbelief, that it actually hates our senses (stronghold), which is the seat of both the "natural" and unbelief. These are kept in operation through the STRONGHOLD of "APPETITE", a very great stronghold of the flesh. The senses war tremendously against the fast, hence this explains why so many of God's people are unable to defeat them and enter into a greater spiritual life of service for Jesus. The senses oppose fasting and fasting opposes the senses. At this point, faith comes in. Faith likewise is an enemy of these very same senses, and to the same degree; fasting is likewise their enemy. Remember: these senses, together with our appetites (see the volume Atomic Power With God), go warring after the Spirit making the soul the great battleground (and many times it's graveyard). When the fast (preferably with praying) has complete right of way without hindrances, the flesh becomes arrested, then carnality is compelled to yield and bow to the Spirit. When this is done, unbelief (which is little known about or understood) is destroyed and the Spirit has more right of way than is possible through any other method known, that is available to mankind.

Take any one of our natural sense faculties such as the eye, for instance, in a fast, the eye is ignored. It has to be, because when the eye-gate sees the food on the table, it creates a craving and desire to take this tempting dish into the body. There would no more of a fast if this temptation is yielded to. Therefore, the fast is an enemy of our sight. What we see is an enemy to the fast. Faith is likewise an ally of the fast. They both work and pull together in perfect harmony. They cannot work against each other because of their common foes. Faith ignores our sight by refusing to allow us to see what we are believing God for. Faith requires us to believe before we see and then we see it later. The same thing also applies to our other senses. Fasting tells us to ignore our desires to touch, taste, to hear food cook, and smell. We cannot allow our mouth to taste and to feel the food in our mouth. For to do so would defeat and overcome the fast so that it would not be one. Fasting likewise tells us, I have no use for feeling. If we are looking for feeling, and place food that we feel and taste into our mouths, the fast immediately ceases, and we again go under the influence of the natural. Faith disregards feeling, because feeling is NOT FAITH. Feeling is one of Faith's worst enemies. We completely overcome all feeling when we come to accept our Lord for what we are believing. The fight may continue to rage on and on in the great battleground of our soul, so that FAITH will be victor. In major cases, prayer and fasting are required along with the consecration fast, then these victories oftimes prepare us for greater things. We are looking forward to the time in the near future, when not only the works that Jesus did, shall we do, but also, "GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE (WE) DO" (John 14:12).

    "Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, ARE AFFLICTED. THEIR SOUL ABHORRETH ALL MANNER OF MEAT (FOOD) and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:17-19.

    FORCED FASTING has been one of God's most successful means of chastisement for His way-faring children. In many instances it has been a blessing in disguise. Indicated below are three major types of forced fasting which ultimately work out for the glory of God and the welfare of man. They are:

I. FOOD SHORTAGES AND FAMINES.

II. ILLNESS DURING WHICH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EAT.

III. APPETITE FAILURE, IN WHICH FOOD BECOMES NAUSEATING.

    Famines and times of economic depression are always the result of sin, unbelief and disobedience to God. Mankind has never been able to enjoy full prosperity and complete spiritual favor and blessing, both at the same time, for a very long period. The satisfaction of a full belly, a full pocket-book, and plenty of other "full" things has resulted in the doom of many nations. History of the children of Israel is an illustration of this fact, showing over and over how quickly self satisfied man forgets his dependence on God. Yet, when our Lord is always put first over these natural blessings, it is His will for us to prosper abundantly. The book of Deuteronomy brings out this truth. When thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth" (Deut. 6:11-12).

    We feel certain the Lord not only permits FAMINES AND DEPRESSIONS to afflict the world and His people because of disobedience and UNBELIEF, but He also brings about FORCED FASTINGS THROUGH ILLNESS AND APPETITE FAILURES. This is why VOLUNTARY FASTINGS ARE SO VALUABLE. A consecration fast will in many instances prevent the hand of our loving Father from chastening us as His disobedient children. Much greater suffering can thus be avoided. A person full of food and possessing nearly every comfort and satisfaction of life cannot easily keep his entire TRUST AND FAITH IN GOD FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

    The children of Israel could have entered the promised land in a few days, if they had patiently and humbly accepted the FORCED FAST put on them by God. Instead of keeping their TRUST AND FAITH IN HIM, they complained and wanted to go back to the land of Egypt (sin) and eat GARLIC, leeks and onions. Their separation from  worldliness and the land of Egypt could not be brought about while on a FEED. To prepare for a promised land of plenty and spiritual happiness, THEY WERE REQUIRED O FAST. Since they would not FAST VOLUNTARILY, the LORD PLACED A FORCED FAST UPON THEM. Deut. 8:3: "He HUMBLED THEE, and SUFFERED THEE TO HUNGER, and FED THEE WITH MANNA, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; THAT HE MIGHT MAKE THEE KNOW THAT MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY BREAD ONLY, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LORD".

    Matthew 4:4 indicates Jesus was familiar with this Scripture. At the conclusion of His forty-day fast, Jesus quoted it, saying, "It is written". The devil's rage knew no bounds. He never was so much interested in Jesus before His fast, but after Jesus had fasted to come fully into His manifestation, Satan was right on the job to bring about to Christ similar temptations that were brought to Adam and Eve.

    There is no record of Jesus' performing one single miracle before He fasted. He doubtless realized from the many failures of the children of Israel and the cause of those failures, that He could do by fasting forty days what they failed to do because they had their minds on the GARLIC of the world. Although Jesus was God, He also was man, and He fasted as a man in the same natural way that you and I can fast. The Scripture very plainly proves this. "And when He had FASTED FORTY DAYS and forty nights, HE WAS AFTERWARD AN HUNGERED" (Matt. 4:2). This is one of the greatest scientific declarations in the entire Bible and is worthy of very special notice. Here is a person who became hungry after doing without food for forty days. It is a scientific fact that hunger will return to any average person who will fast approximately that long. When fasting, hunger leaves in three or four days. Habit hunger comes around very frequently, but can usually be overcome by water drinking, by praying, or by proper thinking, keeping the mind from thoughts of food. After eight to twelve days, more or less, the WEAKNESS usually leaves and the person feels stronger day by day, while fasting. In about forty days, sometimes longer, and sometimes before, depending upon the weight of the individual, TRUE UNMISTAKABLE HUNGER RETURNS IN THE SAME MANNER THAT IT DID TO JESUS, if not, usually the tongue clears up, or weakness comes about.

    The fast could be ended and completed, without the return of hunger. The clearing of the coated tongue is also an indication the fast is over, or
when weakness or other serious difficulties set in, the fast should be carefully broken.

    Here is another very important point that I wish to stress, which is nearly always overlooked by theologians. "He was afterward an hungered". The failure to see this phrase of Jesus' fast is the main reason why fasting is so little understood. This is the reason there is more ignorance, misunderstanding, confusion and intolerance regarding the subject of fasting than any other Bible subject It is worse than deplorable. The key to all complete protracted fasting is the one word "hungered". This key will unlock and expose entirely, Satan's "bugaboos" which have prevented the Church from fasting. Any doctor or nurse will confirm the fact that a good appetite is generally an indication of good health and a sound body. Here is an example of One who fasted exactly as you or I can fast, and He was well, healthy, and hungry at the end of forty days. There is no indication of pain, weakness, disease, or sickness. He was not in bed. He used no crutches to get around with, but showed us He was not too proud to fast forty days, yet strong enough to meet the devil in person.

    JESUS NEVER EXPECTED US TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE HARMFUL TO US. FASTING CANNOT IN ANY WAY HURT OR HARM THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL. IN FACT ANY PERSON, WHETHER SICK OR WELL, can fast, and not only come out of it with spiritual benefit but can also have a more healthy body and a more natural normal appetite.

    Sick folk usually do not have desire for food. Many persons have not been able to eat. They were forced to fast. In the forced fast they had time to pray and meditate. A deeper consecration and yieldedness to God through the fast caused UNBELIEF TO DISAPPEAR, AND HEALING OR ANSWERED PRAYER WAS THE RESULT. Often, a forced fast has brought a revelation or vision, and the individual secures a firmer grip on the Lord. Often fasting gets no credit for the results obtained. It is ignored, and perhaps never mentioned except as just an incident.

    PEOPLE ARE TOO MUCH INCLINED TO GO BY FEELING AND SIGHT THAN BY FAITH AND THE SPIRIT. FASTING WILL PRODUCE FAITH with the Word of God in our hearts quicker than by any MEANS This is why FASTING is so closely related to FAITH. It will also remove UNBELIEF. These things may not be very easily understood, but you are RIGHT NOW receiving LIGHT ON a subject with which the prophets were familiar. If you will accept this light, you too can have experiences similar to theirs. WHY NOT BE AN ELIJAH OR A DANIEL BY MEETING THE CONDITIONS? Read James 5:10-18, and study ELIJAH carefully.

    The testimony of a lady who had been on a forced FAST and was gloriously HEALED expresses our thought. There seems to be evidence that she,
too,, was in ignorance of the real value of fasting. Anyway it worked whether she understood fasting or not, because she was FORCED TO DO WITHOUT FOOD FOR TWELVE DAYS. She said:

    I have been healed many times by the Lord, however, my last healing was far more difficult to obtain. I had a more severe illness, I guess. I had
an awful cancer in my stomach. Many times i was prayed for but there seemed no results. I just could not get enough of faith to believe the Lord. I grew
steadily worse and became bed-fast. The Christians continued to pray for me. It seemed the Lord had forsaken me. I got so i could not eat. For twelve days i was unable to eat a single bite. I was even difficult to drink water. Some people from out of town came in to pray for me, and the Lord instantly raised me up and healed me completely. Sister H.T.,Pittsburgh, PA.

    Of course she was not healed when they prayed for her before she fasted. It was a "KIND" that "COMETH OUT BY NOTHING EXCEPT BY PRAYER AND FASTING". Maybe you have a similar problem, but you have not fasted?

    UNBELIEF prevents many people from obtaining healing and the answers to their prayers. God can not bless us even though He wants to, when unbelief is present. "Without FAITH it is impossible to please God". Jesus can not penetrate through unbelief. Even forced fasting will remove UNBELIEF because it is in HARMONY WITH WHAT CONSECRATION FASTING WILL DO. Prayer may be going up earnestly and sincerely for Jesus to do something for us. There is still too much UNBELIEF for the full prayer to be heard and answered, and it may be answered in the following manner: A great sickness or tragedy comes about that causes the Christian to lose his appetite altogether, or he may be able to eat but very little. The fast or partial fast continues for many days, and finally abolishes UNBELIEF and DEVELOPS THE NECESSARY FAITH. Lo! and behold! ANSWERED PRAYER IS NOW AN ACCOMPLISHED FACT. Perhaps the victorious Christian still does not know the real secret of his success because fasting is too much like
faith.

    Many Christians have nothing whatsoever wrong with them but what the curative agencies of fasting will remedy. It is almost useless to come to Jesus seeking healing for a condition caused by SURFEITING AND GLUTTONY WHEN ABSTENTION ALONE WILL REMEDY THE SITUATION. In most such cases healing is not easily received because the individual would go out and "SIN SOME MORE". He would stuff himself sick again. He would be a "FOOL", and perhaps become more ill until his SOUL "ABHORRETH ALL MANNER OF MEAT". He would not be able to eat.

    The Lord has given us a healthy appetite. He expects us to use it discreetly. If we are not hungry we should not eat. One of the great sins of
the day is timing of eating and the forcing ourselves to eat just because everyone else eats at twelve o'clock. This FORCES OUR APPETITE and creates a false sense of hunger. The appetite becomes abnormal and we develop HABIT HUNGER WHICH IS HUNGER LUST, AND THIS IN TURN BECOMES SIN LIKE THE HABIT OF DRINKING LIQUOR (Luke 21:34). We thus come under addiction.

In God's sight "Food Addiction" is just as great as "Drug Addiction". Many saints are under bondage to food addiction.

<<<<end page 14>>>>>>>>>